Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow

Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow, born Alexey Mikhailovich Ridiger, was a Russian religious leader and politician. He was born on February 23, 1929, in Tallinn and held citizenship in Russia. Alexy II was a patriarch who served as the bishop, metropolitan, and primate of the Russian Orthodox Church. He passed away on December 5, 2008, in Peredelkino.

Throughout his life, Patriarch Alexy II was recognized with numerous awards, such as the Francysk Skaryna Medal, the Order of St. Andrew, the Order of Glory and Honor, the Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir I degree, the Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir, and the State Prize of the Russian Federation. He also received the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 2nd class, Order of Friendship of Peoples, and the Order of the Red Banner of Labour.

Patriarch Alexy II also received Gratitude of the President of the Russian Federation, becoming an Honorary Citizen of St. Petersburg as well as the Moscow Region.